A glass ceiling refers to one of two things: either a situation where an otherwise qualified individual cannot advance any further because of discrimination (usually gender or race), or a literal glass ceiling. The first definition is the one most commonly used, and it is a reality for so many individuals. All of the statistics citing the imbalance in the man-to-woman ratio in upper management, the low numbers of minorities in various professions, and even the discrimination that handicapped people face in everyday life – these are the glass ceilings that are “invisible” on paper, but act as real limitations and challenges.

However, we all know that glass isn’t really invisible – it’s just clearer than most objects are (linguists have dubbed this condition “transparency”). And this is why I’d rather write about real glass ceilings – those large panes of glass that cover various buildings across America. Literal glass ceilings are much easier to break through than their figurative counterparts. Apply enough force to the glass, and it will shatter. If you’re lucky and clever enough, you’ll find a glass ceiling that has an emergency exit.

But what about the physically handicapped? Doesn’t the literal and figurative cross paths – their glass ceiling is actually a glass ceiling! No problem: you can break through from the other side. You’ll need to ascend to an appropriate altitude, however. Nothing will look worse than jumping down on a glass ceiling and then bouncing off while everyone below you watches. Unless you’re oblivious to social scorn, try practicing on a concrete ceiling first. Or cover a glass one with a blanket.

Yet whichever way you break the glass ceiling, some of the glass will fly back and hit you. This is what happens to unintelligent car thieves. They break the car window and are caught soon afterward, covered with shards of glass. The intelligent thief can then steal the car with ease – the window is already broken.

Once more, this is where the literal and figurative glass ceilings (or glass in general) differ. The pioneering individuals who break racial and gender boundaries, first in the legal system (concrete ceiling) and then in reality (glass ceiling), are well respected, honored, and cherished. Those who follow after them have a much easier fight. However, the same is not true for the examples I have described above. Those who attempt to jump through ceilings of any material are locked up in mental institutions, and those who break car windows are placed in prison. Glass and concrete are answered with steel. Life is so confusing.